The outcome of your case is dependent on the charges against you, the range of circumstances leading up to your arrest and the attorney you choose for legal representation. An attorney can help by seeking a lighter or alternative sentence or by having the charges dismissed altogether depending on the particularities of your case. Every illegal substance case is unique and deserves to be treated with personal attention.

A criminal record that contains a conviction for these types of offenses can be crippling when it comes time to finding a job and even housing. You need to have an attorney who is committed to finding the absolute best outcome for you.

What Is A Drug Crime?

In Orange County, a drug crime covers a wide range of offenses. These include the possession and sale of illegal intoxicants, as well as manufacturing, transporting and distribution. The number of intoxicants considered to be illegal under California law is also vast, and includes cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, LSD, heroin, ecstasy, and PCP. Being in possession of or selling certain prescription medications without a physician issued prescription is also a criminal offense.

The list of possible offenses you can face in Orange County include:

Possession of an illegal substance

Possession of paraphernalia known for its use in the consumption of illegal substances or their sale.

Possession with intent to sell an illegal intoxicant or controlled substance.

Transporting

The sale or furnishing to a minor

The outcome of your charge is dependent on a number of factors, including the amount of the narcotic in question, the manner in which it was found in your possession, and any past criminal history you may have.

Penalties for Drug Crimes

The penalty you are facing is dependent on your past criminal history, the type of substance involved and the amount. The purpose of having the substance in your possession can also play heavily into the penalty given. Possession for personal use may result in up to a year in jail, but if the prosecutor believes that you had an intent to sell the penalty could be as high as five years in prison.

Your attorney will also discuss the possibility of entering a treatment program as a part of your defense. If completed with success, many of these programs will allow for the charge to be completely dismissed from your criminal record.

Since a conviction will have a lasting effect on your future, it is important to find an attorney that will aggressively fight to keep your record clean.

Defenses for Drug Crimes in the OC

The circumstances of your case will be reviewed thoroughly to determine your best defense. Your attorney will have a number of options to look at and see if they can be applied in your situation:

Unlawful Search and Seizure: The police are obligated to follow certain protocol if they suspect that you have drugs in your possession. Without a compelling reason behind conducting a search of your person or belongings, anything found will not be allowed to be used as evidence against you.

The Chemical Analysis: Finding a substance that looks like cocaine is not enough for a prosecutor to convict you. They must have the substance tested by a crime lab. The manner in which the substance was tested may be used to shed doubt on the prosecution’s case against you.

They Weren’t Yours: In cases where the drug was found inside of a home or car, an attorney could attest that it did not belong to you or that you had no knowledge of its presence. It will then be up to the prosecutor to provide evidence to the contrary.

These are just a few of the possibilities your defense attorney has in proving your innocence. The strategy he uses will be dependent on the unique circumstances of your case.

Benefits of Having a Drug Crime Lawyer

When you are facing a drug crime charge in Orange County having a local attorney at your side is imperative. Not only are they familiar with the current laws and policies surrounding these offenses, they have personal knowledge of how the court system and prosecutors tend to handle cases such as yours.

An Orange County drug crime lawyer is able to examine your case and find the weakness that will allow either a dismissal of the charge or a reduced sentence. Only they possess the expertise needed to accomplish this.

Do not hesitate to call a defense attorney if you have been charged with a drug crime in Orange County. The earlier they are given the facts of your case, the quicker they will be able to resolve it. With specialized knowledge of your charge they will be able to aggressively fight on your behalf to ensure the best outcome for you and your future.

Call (888) 250-2865 today to obtain a free consultation from a skilled Orange County drug lawyer with a history of success.

Areas of practice

Disclaimer: The legal information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Free case evaluations are available to those with arrests occurring in Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County. Evaluation requests for situations outside of these counties will be subject to a $100 up-front evaluation fee.